NNPP Accuses Kwankwaso Of Betrayal, Plans To Hijack Party

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, of spearheading actions that have destabilised the party and triggered fresh defections to opposition platforms.

The allegation comes after two prominent members — Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Ambassador Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dumped the NNPP within days of each other.

In a statement on Tuesday, the NNPP National Secretary, Dr. Ogini Olaposi, said the party has been grappling with “a leadership crisis fueled by Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya Movement,” accusing the former Kano governor of undermining the party’s original vision.

According to Olaposi, the party had endured litigations and internal battles since Kwankwaso’s emergence as its 2023 flag bearer.

“The NNPP faced a series of litigations and still faces a leadership crisis when Kwankwaso and his movement tried to hijack the party’s leadership and structures,” he said.

He added that the crisis had pushed several strategic members in Kano to defect to the APC in frustration.

Olaposi further accused Kwankwaso of betraying the trust of Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the NNPP founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

“The unfortunate thing is that Kwankwaso and his followers betrayed the trust reposed in them by Dr Boniface Aniebonam,” he stated.

He said the betrayal had discouraged loyal members and left many uncertain about their future in the party, especially with the 2027 polls approaching.

With INEC yet to make a conclusive pronouncement on the NNPP leadership tussle — despite court judgments recognising the Dr. Agbo Major-led National Working Committee — Olaposi warned that more defections may occur.

“There is a tendency that many more members, who are not sure of their fate, will leave,” he said.

He maintained that while the party regretted losing members, defections were a personal decision.

“It is the right of every Nigerian to choose the party they wish to belong to. The defectors did not join another party under duress but out of their free will because of our internal leadership crisis,” he added.

Olaposi stressed that the NNPP was founded on values of honesty, integrity, and ideological commitment, urging members to remain patient while reconciliation efforts continue.

He also appealed to INEC to uphold the court rulings recognising the legitimate leadership of the party.

“It’s our hope that INEC should not wait for a compelling order of the court to obey valid court judgements,” he said.

The NNPP leadership crisis, which has lingered for over a year, continues to redefine the party’s structure as the political class begins early manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections.